Obituaries February 7, 2012

Susan Howorth
OXFORD – Susan Barksdale Howorth, 44, of Oxford, died suddenly and peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. Visitation will be held today, Feb. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford.
Susan was born on Dec. 23, 1967, in Memphis to Sally and Jim Barksdale. She graduated from St. Mary’s Episcopal High School in Memphis and George Washington University in Washington D.C. In 1995, she graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law. It was in law school that she decided to make Oxford her permanent home. It was also where she met and married her husband, Andy (Circuit Judge Andrew K. Howorth). She was a dedicated mother to their children, Marian and Stewart, both of Oxford.
In the late 1990s, she opened the Barksdale-Isom House, a historic antebellum bed and breakfast just off the Oxford Square that she lovingly restored. As a voracious reader and bibliophile, she was a great supporter of the writers and booklovers who frequently gather in Oxford. She was an avid supporter of Ole Miss Women’s Council, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and the McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College, named in honor of her late mother.
Susan was an artist in her own right, working in a variety of media, including ceramics, pottery and painting. She was also a talented decorator and collector of art, photography and antiques. Always planning her next adventure, Susan traveled extensively, including studies in Cambridge, England, and Paris, France.
Susan will always be known for her larger than life personality, irrepressible sense of humor and unmistakable laugh. Her connections with people were marked by loyalty and an incredibly generous spirit. Her untold number of small, anonymous kindnesses will never be forgotten by their beneficiaries.
Above all, she loved her family and friends. In addition to her husband, father and children, she is survived by her sister, Betsy Pokorny (John); her brother, David Barksdale (Stephanie); her father’s wife, Donna, and Donna’s children, Jay, Ken (Suzanne) and Megan (Marty) ;and her very large and equally devoted extended family, including 16 nieces and nephews; and her beloved Boston terriers.
The Howorth and Barksdale families request that in lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the charity of their choice or to Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy, c/o University of Mississippi Foundation, P.O. Box 249, University, MS 38677.
For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit our website www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call (662) 234-7971.

Bonnie E. Cruse
BELMONT – Bonnie E. Cruse, 31, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at the Iuka Hospital. She was a native of Red Bay, Ala., and a member of Golden Central Baptist Church.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Golden Central Baptist Church with Bro. Shawn Davis and Bro. Donnie Wooten officiating. Burial will be in Joel Cemetery at Dennis. Deaton Funeral Home of Belmont is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors are her parents, James and Dedra Cruse of Belmont; three sisters, Lavonda Cruse of Russellville, Ala., Annie Pounders (Gary) and Melinda Cruse, all of Belmont; one brother, Edwin Cruse of Belmont; four nephews, Jesse and Dillon Pounders, and Kevin and Ethan Cruse; one niece, Andrea Thompson; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bonnie and Vada Cruse, and Letra and Eugene Wilson.
Pallbearers will be Tim Gray, Dillon Pounders, Jesse Pounders, Hank Whitehead, Joey Witt and Buddy Ford. Honorary pallbearer will be Edwin Cruse.
Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. today at Golden Central Baptist Church and until service time on Wednesday.Monroe Reich
FULTON – James Monroe Reich, 60, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at his home. He was born Feb. 18, 1951, to Russell Frederick Reich and Eloise Pauline Chamblee Reich. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He had worked at American Motors and the City of Fulton Water Department. He was an avid sports fan.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Brady Ramey officiating. Burial will be in the Gum Cemetery.
Survivors include two brothers, Fred Reich and Wayne Reich (B.J.), both of Fulton; four sisters, Elaine Ramage (Dave) and Mary Nell Vickers (Billy Ray), both of Georgia, Sue Ramey (L.P.) of Fulton and Grace Evelyn Vincent (Bob) of Illinois; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, J.C. Reich and Johnny Reich; and his parents.
Pallbearers will be Russ Ramey, Bryan Ramey, Jason Reich, Erick Reich, Andrew Reich, Dee Bannen, Tommy Chamblee and Danny Holley.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home.Dorothy Crump
ABERDEEN – Dorothy Crump, 78, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center in Amory. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by E.E. Pickle Funeral Home.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.Donald Kelly
WALNUT – Edward Donald Kelly, 51, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Ripley Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Marie Pickens
MOOREVILLE – Marie Chapman Pickens, 65, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at The Sanctuary Hospice House after an extended illness. A native of Van Vleet, she was born Aug. 27, 1946, to Lonnie DeWitt and Margaret Eunice Chenault Chapman. She graduated from Houston High School before earning degrees at Mississippi State University. She worked for Mississippi Department of Human Services and then began her teaching career at Okolona High School and Mooreville High School, where she taught business education and sponsored the Future Business Leaders of America, taking them on many trips in the United States and Europe. She enjoyed volunteering at the Women First Cancer Support Group. She was a member of Mooreville United Methodist Church, where she served in the United Methodist Women.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Rev. Sammy Washburn and Rev. Ever Jean Burt officiating. Burial will be in Mooreville United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband of 31 years, William S. Pickens Jr. of Mooreville; her children, Richard L. Bryant II (Miki) of Starkville, Anthony C. Bryant (Alisha) of Mooreville, Katherine P. McMillan (Jon) of Mooreville, William S. Pickens III of Nettleton and Candy L. Pickens of Nettleton; eight grandchildren, Chapman and Anna Brooke Bryant of Mooreville, Chandler and Lee Bryant of Starkville, Ann Marie McMillan of Mooreville, Kaylee Pickens of Nettleton, and Hunter and Alex Smith of Starkville; a special cousin, David Henry of Houston; special friends, Carol Horton, Gerald Horton, Ronnie and Sally Brown, Gola and David Lundy, Faye and Harold Hood, Wanda, Natalie and Rachel Pierce.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Catherine Chapman; her mother-in-law, Cynthia Pickens; and father-in-law, William Skidmore Pickens.
Pallbearers will be Barry Walker, Lee Bryant, Chapman Bryant, Robert Smith, Keith Henry, David Horton and Chandler Bryant.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Mooreville United Methodist Women.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to United Methodist Women at Mooreville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 130, Mooreville, MS 38857; or Women First Cancer Support Group, 215 N. Gloster, Tupelo MS 38804.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.Martha Ann Roberts
HERNANDO – Martha Ann Roberts, 69, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis. She was a retired cafeteria employee for the DeSoto County Schools.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Brantley-Phillips Funeral Home of Hernando. Burial will be in Lebanon cemetery at Baldwyn.
Survivors include two sons, Randy Roberts (Mary) of Ripley and Mitch Roberts (Tabitha) of Hernando; one daughter, Susie Roberts of Hernando; three grandchildren, Victoria, Bailey and Ashley; special friends, Bubba, June, Karen, Wendell, Donna, Linda, David, Michael , Betty, Cindy and Wanda.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, R. Glenn Roberts.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Lee Harrington
ABERDEEN – Lee Taylor Harrington, 27, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at his home in Oxford. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Visitation will be at Keith and Leigh Mobley’s home.Billy Joe Pace
HAMILTON – Billy Joe Pace, 77, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus. He was born May 1, 1934, to Hosey Lee Pace and Helen McKinley Pace in Aberdeen. He was a lifelong resident of Hamilton and a member of Center Hill Baptist Church. He graduated from Aberdeen High School. He retired as owner of Pace Machine Shop. He also worked at Walker Manufacturing.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Tisdale-Lann Memorial Chapel in Aberdeen with Bro. Terry Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Oddfellows Rest Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Lola Mae Pace of Hamilton; four sons, Billy Dale Pace (Peggy) of Aberdeen, Jimmy Carl Pace (Sissy) of Nicholls, Ga., Teddy Joe Pace of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Terry Lee Pace (Gale) of Hamilton; four sisters, Syble Pace Harmon of Aberdeen, Cecile Pace Kean of Collerville, Tenn., Deloris Pace Greer (Dale) of Jackson and Ruby Pace Gilbert of Aberdeen; 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Betty Pace House; one son, Steve Pace; two sisters, Nellie Pace Herndon and Christeen Pace Criddle; and two brothers, Thomas F. Pace and Larry Wayne “Pete” Pace.
Pallbearers will be Chad Pace, Chris Pace, T.J. Pace, Kyle Pace, Ben Guest, Cole Williams and Billy Lee Pace. Gordon Parker will be an honorary pallbearer.
Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. today at the Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Memorials may be made to LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center.
To sign the guest register and leave online condolences, visit www.tisdalelannmemorial.com.Ludie Pietruszkiewicz
BOONEVILLE – Ludie Bell Whitlow Pietruszkiewicz, 84, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was born Dec. 30, 1927, to B.F. and Aurie Livingston Whitlow. She was a member of the St. Francis of Assis Catholic Church and retired from Smith Drugs.
Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Richard Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Candler Chapel Cemetery. McMillan Funeral Home of Booneville is in charge of the arrangements.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Walter J. “Pete” Pietruszkiewicz; two daughters, Vickie (John) Walendzik of Booneville and Terry (Roger) Sanders of Saltillo; three grandchildren, John Walendzik Jr., Noah and Sarah Sanders; two great-grandchildren, Anna Grace and Grant Austin Walendzik; a nephew, Alexander Getek, and a niece, Mary Grogan; and other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Sarah Shook and Mary Humphrey; and one brother, B.F. Whitlow.
Pallbearers are Alex Getek, John Walendzik Jr., Noah Sanders, Ben Smith, Steve Banas and Kenneth Floyd.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com.Delores Hilliard
OXFORD – Delores “Ree” Hilliard, 78, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Graceland Care Center at Oxford.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Second Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Oxford. Hodges-Freeman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time today at the church.Mary Sue Whitehorn
NEW ALBANY – Mary Sue Massengill Whitehorn, 87, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. She was born Dec. 5, 1924, in Hickory Flat to Arland Chesley Massengill and Mary Ruth Butler Massengill. She was a housewife and a member of the New Albany Presbyterian Church.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the United Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Bill Everett officiating. Burial will be in the Ebenezer Cemetery in Hickory Flat. United Funeral Service in New Albany is in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda Allen (Jim) of New Albany; three sons, Warner Whitehorn (Majel) of New Albany, Larry Whitehorn of New Albany and Randy Whitehorn of Ashland; a sister, Margie Roberts of New Albany; three brothers, James Arland Massengill (Nell) of Warner Robins, Ga., Amos Massengill (Mamie) of New Albany and Douglas Massengill (Snjezana) of Niles, Ill.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Lawrence Whitehorn.
Pallbearers will be Ty Whitehorn, Robert Whitehorn, Jimmy Roberts, Barry Royals, Randy Ray Whitehorn and Thomas Massengill.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today Tuesday at the funeral home.
For online condolences visit unitedfuneralservice.com.Merilyn Gallaher
MONTPELIER – Merilyn Rae Gallaher, 47, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at her home at Montpelier. She was born May 23, 1964, in West Point to Meriam Pate Jones and Charles Ray Gallaher. She was a homemaker and a member of Montpelier Baptist Church.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Calvert Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jerry King officiating. Burial will follow in Palestine Cemetery. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her father, Charles Ray Gallaher of Meridian, and her mother, Meriam Pate Jones (Michael Durell) of Cedar Bluff; her stepdaughter, Kristen Walker of San Diego, Calif.; her stepson, Brian Walker of Sacramento, Calif.; one brother, Mike Jones (Shannon) of Starkville; and her nephews, Alex Jones and Andrew Jones.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandparents, Mac and Frances Pate, and Charlie and Daisy Gallaher.
Pallbearers will be Dexter Pate, Jeremy Brock, Todd Griffin, Steve Pate, Gary Brock, Billy Vest, Garrett Brock and Russ Pate.
Honorary pallbearers will be Alex Jones and Andrew Jones.
Memorials may be made to Palestine Cemetery Fund, c/o Jim Murray, 18515 Hwy. 46, Pheba, MS 39755.
Visitation will be from noon to service time Wednesday at Calvert Funeral Home.Elmo Robertson
NEW ALBANY – Kevin Javon “Elmo” Robertson, 44, died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. He was born July 16, 1967, in New Albany to Henry Robertson and Barbara Frazier Robertson. He graduated from W.P. Daniel High School.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Union Prospect M.B. Church with Elder Robert Fleming Sr. officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Serenity Funeral Home of New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his parents, Henry Robertson of Des Moines, Iowa, and Barbara Robertson of New Albany; his siblings, Cherita (John) Waldrop of Florida, Tamara Waldrop and Kissi (Jason) Montgomery of New Albany, Billy (Creshenda) Robertson of Tupelo, Nikki Sharp, Ryan Steffen and William Steffen of Iowa; his grandparents, Bernice and Albert Bell of New Albany; a brother-in-law, William Waldrop; special friends, Walter Smith, Robert Patterson and Henry Cameron; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dewitt and Edna Robertson.
Pallbearers will be Robert Cowan, Alvin Parks Jr., Darren Bowling, LaShawn McGaha, Walter Smith and Derrick Harris.
Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. There will be no viewing after the eulogy.David Pickett
CALEDONIA – David Pickett died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at his home in Caledonia. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors of Tupelo.Linda Patterson
GUNTOWN – Linda Lou Harris Patterson, 51, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Tupelo Nursing and Rehabilitation after a long illness. She was born Dec. 16, 1960, in Prentiss County to Marvis and Mary Lou Brazeal Harris. She accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Church of God in Wheeler. She was formerly an assistant teacher, wedding coordinator and restaurant owner. Sne enjoyed crafts, spontaneous trips, making people laugh, playing Eye Spy and spending time with family and friends.
Services will be at noon today at Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn with Bro. James Wells officiating. There will be no graveside service.
Survivors include her husband, Tony Patterson; her daughter, Lillian (Nicole) Patterson; her son, James (Anthony) Patterson of Guntown; her father, Marvis A. Harris of Saltillo; two brothers, Frankie Newman (Thrish) of Baldwyn and Benny Harris (Cindy) of Saltillo; two sisters, Sonia Harrington (Carlos Gonzales) of Louisiana; and Deborah Sheffield (Mike) of Dorsey; three aunts, Shirley Mace of tupelo, Betty Waters ((Doug) of Baldwyn and Sarah Christian (Jimmy) of Mantachie; one uncle, Charles Brazeal (Marie) of Saltillo; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother; her grandparents, Troy and Bessie Harris, and Cortez and Ollie Brazeal; and one aunt, Marjorie Letson Armstrong.Mary Elliott
RIPLEY – Mary George Elliott, 91, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at her home in Ripley. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McBride Funeral Home in Ripley.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Jennifer Campbell
GUNTOWN – Jennifer Campbell, 32, died at the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County after a brief illness. She was a member of the Church of Christ. She was a former employee of Walmart. She enjoyed spending time with her children.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn with Bro. Sanders and Bro. Richard Floyd officiating. Burial will be in the Campbelltown Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Ashley Campbell of Alpine; her children, Ashley Patterson, Alyssa Campbell, Montgomery Campbell and Jennie Ann Campbell, all of the home; her father, Tommy Patterson of Guntown; one brother, Kenny Patterson (Krissie Clark) of Blue Springs; her in-laws, Melanie Sellars (Kirk) of Guntown; niece and nephews, Emily Bailey, Aaron Holmes, Catelyn Sellars, Zachary Sellars, Austin Patterson, Tryston Patterson, Dustin and Jason Clark; a number of uncles and aunts.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Imogene Montgomery Patterson.Stacy Turner
WATER VALLEY – Stacy Turner, 79, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at his residence in Water Valley.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Water Valley Civic Auditorium in Water Valley. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Water Valley. Hodges-Freeman Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.